Why China is hoping for a peace dividend in South Sudan
- Warring factions are supposed to agree a national unity government next month to end conflict that has killed tens of thousands and displaced four million people
- Beijing is the main investor in the country’s oilfields, which could play an important role in meeting its energy needs, and has contributed troops to the UN peacekeeping mission
With a possible end to South Sudan’s long-running civil war in sight, China has its own reasons for hoping the peace process succeeds.
The two sides have until next month to agree the formation of a national unity government, according to a timescale agreed in last year’s peace accord.
Beijing is the largest investor in South Sudan’s oilfields and has not followed the US and other Western nations in imposing sanctions on leading political and military figures.
In fact, in March this year, the two countries exempted senior government officials on either side from visa requirements despite growing pressure from the international community for Beijing to end its relationship with the South Sudanese leaders fuelling the civil war.
The war has deterred other countries from investing in South Sudan, but Beijing has stepped up its investments and engagement.
Apart from seeing an opportunity to meets its own energy needs, Beijing has also committed troops to the UN’s peacekeeping mission and tried to support the peace talks.